Tag Archives: Formula One

In celebration of this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, held earlier this year, TAG Heuer released four new chronographs in Monaco—the official timepieces of the most glamorous race in the world.

TAG Heuer’s relationship with the Monaco Grand Prix and Formula One racing is a long and storied one, stretching back to 1960 when Swiss driver Jo Siffert became TAG Heuer’s first Grand Prix Ambassador. However, it was TAG Heuer’s association with the American actor and driver Steve McQueen that produced the most iconic result of their relationship with F1 racing. For the 1970 film “Le Mans” McQueen was sent a case of TAG Heuer watches and chose a then-revolutionary Heuer Monaco chronograph, with its square casing and distinctive blue coloring. The watch was the first ever with a waterproof square casing and the first with an automatic self-winding chronograph. Since then the “McQueen Monaco” has become one of the most sought-after vintage watches on the international market.

These four new releases from TAG Heuer have been designed in honor of the Monaco Grand Prix and Steve McQueen’s iconic timepiece. The watches released were the Monaco Calibre 12 Chronograph ACM Limited Edition, Monaco Heuer Calibre 11 Chronograph, Monaco 24 Calibre 36 Chronograph, and the Carrera Calibre 16 Chronograph Monaco Grand Prix Limited Edition.

The Monaco Calibre 12 Chronograph ACM Limited Edition was released in limited run of only 1200 pieces and is a luxurious tribute to the Automobile Club de Monaco. This watch features silver sub-counters with an exquisite finish and a soft black alligator leather strap with bold orange stitching. The watch’s face is emblazoned with MONACO and the TAG Heuer logo in the 12 o’clock position, balanced by the crest of the Automobile Club de Monaco at the 6 o’clock position.

The Monaco Heuer Calibre 11 Chronograph is a modern update on the classic “McQueen Monaco”. This watch features a dark blue strap of perforated leather and a stylish blue dial decorated with white stripes inspired by the design of McQueen’s racing gear.

The Monaco 24 Calibre 36 Chronograph is another variant on the “McQueen Monaco”, one that is both super-charged and super-tough. The blue dial of this timepiece is a combination of the classic square-faced watch and sporty racing stripes. The chronograph’s construction, tubular design, and emphasis on shock-protection for its components are all award-winning features that echo the high-powered precision of F1 racecar technology.

The final watch is the Carrera Calibre 16 Chronograph Monaco Grand Prix Limited Edition, released in a run of just 3000 pieces. This one breaks from the other three in that is based on the watch released in 1964 as a tribute to the grueling Carrera Panamericana Mexico road race. This modern version is a Carrera-inspired homage to the Monaco—the most exciting, dangerous, and grueling of event in modern road racing.

With these four timepieces TAG Heuer has paid fitting homage to not just the Monaco Grand Prix but F1 racing as well.